SITE Program Demonstration of the SBP Technologies, Inc. Membrane Filtration System on Creosote-Contaminated Water

Abstract

The formed-in-place, membrane filtration system offered by SBP Technologies, Inc. of Stone Mountain, Georgia was evaluated by the U.S. EPA Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program. The evaluation lasted six days; approximately 1000 gallons per day of water contaminated with creosote-derived PAHs and other compounds from wood preserving operations were treated. The SITE Program Demonstration and evaluation of the filtration unit was accomplished at the American Creosote Works NPL site in Pensacola, Florida in October 1991. Average six-day concentrations in the influent stream were 89.3 mg/L total semivolatiles, with phenanthrene and naphthalene as the major constituents (17.1 mg/ I and 12.9 mg/L, respectively). The system effectively performed an 82 percent volume reduction, and removed greater than 95 percent of higher molecular weight PAHs and 92 percent of total PAHs from the permeate stream. The permeate stream semivolatile concentration averaged 22.8 mg/L over the six-day period. This stream was determined to be acceptable for disposal by the local Publicly Owned Treatment Works, The membrane system as utilized was not very effective (ca. 18 percent) at removing lower molecular weight compounds such as the phenolics. Of the total semivolatile contaminants present (PAHs and phenolics), 75 percent removals were achieved. For every 2000 gallons treated, approximately 200 gallons of wash water was utilized (approximately 8 percent of contaminants were located in wash water). Estimates of capital and operating costs are between $202 and $675 per 1000 gallons feedwater treated (not including final disposal costs). Conditions such as operating temperature, molecular weight, hydrophobicity, initial concentrations, and final effluent standards may affect system performance at other sites.